Connector



AY 1941- R-D. CAMPBELL 2,241,293

CONNEGTOR Filed June 24, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet Inventor Rqwom D. C/IMPBEL A iiomey May 6, 1941. R. D. CAMPBELL .conuEc'ron Filed June 24., 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 A iiorney Patented May 6, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT- OFFICE CONNECTOR Ransom D. Campbell, Asheville, N. 0.

Application June 524, 1940, Serial No. 342,151

3 Claims.

This invention relates to connectors especially adapted for securing electric conduits to outlet boxes and similar devices, and has for the primary object the provision of a device of this character which will provide an absolutely fireproof connection between the outlet box and the conduit and includes an improved fitting or connector sleeve which may be easily secured to a conduit and a locking means which permits easy and quick securing of the fitting or sleeve in an opening of the outlet box and which will obviate any possibility of the conduit becoming accidentally disconnected from the outlet box.

With these and other objects in view as will become more apparent as the description proceeds, the invention consists in certain novel features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts as will be hereinafter more fully described and claimed.

For a complete understanding of my invention, reference is to be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a fragmentary side elevation, partly in section, illustrating a connector constructed in accordance with my invention and showing the same securing an electric conduit in an opening of an outlet box.

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 1 taken at right angles thereto.

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 3, and showing the locking key partly in a locking position.

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 3 showing the locking key in full locking position.

Figure 6 is a perspective view illustrating the locking key.

Referring in detail to the drawings, the numeral 5 indicates a conventional type of electric outlet box in which the opening thereof is indicated by the character 6. An electric conduit 1 of a conventional construction is connected in the opening 6 of the outlet box 5 by the present invention which consists of a fitting 8.

The fitting 8 is in the form of a sleeve including a female internally screw threaded portion 9 and a male screw threaded portion 10. The conduit is threaded into the female portion 9 while the male portion H! has threaded thereon a lock nut ll. One side of the male portion and at its free end is provided with a lip or flange l2 adapted to enter and underlie a wall of the outlet box. The male portion ID of the fitting 8 opposite the lip I2 is provided with a key groove I3 to receive a semi-cylindrical shaped key I4 which tapers towards one longitudinal edge thereof, thereby forming the key in cross section of substantially crescent shape.

In operation, after the fitting 8 has been adapted to the conduit I, the male portion is inserted into the opening 6 of the outlet box by slightly tilting the male portion during its movement into the opening so as to bring the flange l2 to underlie the wall of the outlet box. The key M is then brought into the groove from the exterior of the box, as shown in Figure 4, and pressure is applied on one longitudinal edge thereof to bring the key into full locking position, as shown in Figure 5, that is with one longitudinal edge abutting the inner face of the wall of the box. The lock nut l l is then turned down against the wall of the box to confine the key in the groove [3, consequently obviating any possibility of the key moving out of the groove. The key coacts with the lip or flange l2 in preventing the male portion of the fitting from being accidentally withdrawn from the opening of the outlet box. The flange l2 as well as the edges of the male portion and the key present rounded surfaces so as not to chafe or damage the insulation upon electric conductors.

While I have shown and described the preferred embodiment of my invention, it will be understood that minor changes in construction, combination and arrangement of parts may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. In a conductor connector of the class described, a fitting including male and female portions having screw threads, said female portion adapted to be threaded onto an electric conduit, said male portion having a groove, a semicylindrical key to enter said groove to secure the male portion in an opening of an outlet box, and adjustable means on the male member to engage the key to retain the latter in the groove against the outlet box.

2. In a connector of the class described, a fitting including male and female portions having screw threads, said female portion adapted to be threaded onto an electric conduit, said male portion insertable in an opening of an outlet box and having a groove adjacent its free end and on one side thereof, a lip formed on the male portion opposite the groove to engage a wall of the outlet box, a semi-cylindrical key insertable in the groove to coact with the lip in engaging the free end, a lip formed on the male portion 10 opposite said groove to engage a wall of an outlet box, a semi-cylindrical key tapering towards one edge insertable in the groove to engage with the wall of the outlet box and coact with the flange in preventing the male portion from moving out of the box, and a lock nut threaded on the male portion to close the groove and prevent the key from moving out of said groove.

RANSOM D. CAMPBELL. 

